The Futurist Daily News

Israeli Airstrikes in Gaza Intensify

Israel bombed dozens of suspected militant sites in the Hamas-ruled Gaza Strip and Palestinians kept up their cross-border rocket fire as international pressure for a cease-fire intensified.

Escalating its bombing campaign over the weekend in an attempt to repress Hamas rocket fire, Israel began attacking homes of activists in Hamas, the Islamic militant group ruling Gaza. Israeli aircrafts struck crowded areas in the Gaza Strip and killed Ramez Harb, a senior figure of the Islamic Jihad’s military wing.

Khaled Mashaal, the Hamas’s actual leader, took a tough stance today, rejecting Israel’s demands for an immediate stop of Palestinian rocket fire. Instead, he said that Israel must meet Hamas’ demand and lift the Israeli blockade of Gaza.

While Israel and Hamas are far apart in their demands, both sides say they are open to a diplomatic solution while still prepared for further escalation. A senior Egyptian official told The Associated Press that Hamas and Israel were each presenting Egypt with their conditions for a cease-fire. Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu and a delegation of Arab foreign ministers are expected in Gaza tomorrow.

While Egypt with the help of Turkey and Qatar is trying to negotiate a general cease-fire, the US President is touring the world.